MicroSurvey Point Prep is a CAD program designed specifically for construction professionals. You can open CAD drawings from architects and engineers, check for common CAD drawing issues, re-scale drawings to match units used by surveying equipment, populate drawings with stakeout points and conveniently export points for laying out.

MicroSurvey's Point Prep Online course teaches you the essentials of CAD drawing management and error checking, methods for combining and merging different types of CAD and field data, methods for volume calculations and basic CAD drafting skills. Our experienced trainers will be offering training in an online environment that allows for screen sharing and audio and chatline discussion between attendees and instructors. With online training you can increase the productivity and value of your company, but without the expense and downtime of traveling to the training facility.

Topics covered include:

Fundamental CAD Concepts

Simple Drafting Commands

CAD Editing Commands

Survey Database Essentials

Defaults and Configuration

Working with Coordinates

Surfaces and Volumes

Importing and Exporting for Layout

The training session will cover the essential features of MicroSurvey PointPrep over 8 hours, spread over 4 weeks with an introductory session to show how the online training tools will work.

Sample files and manuals will be provided. No long distance charges will apply.

Prerequisites: Students need a registered copy of MicroSurvey PointPrep 2013 or 2014 to be able to attend, and a computer with a microphone speakers.

Number of Seats Available:8 of 12 Space is always limited with our popular online training sessions.

MicroSurvey will be hosting a four day training session at Humber College North Campus in the Greater Toronto area. The training session will cover basic and advanced features of MicroSurvey CAD. Pick Here for a summary of topics covered.

Networked computers, manuals and software will be provided. (you keep the manuals)

We suggest that students attending the course take the time to review the help files in the program, watch the training movies supplied (via the help file), go through the tutorials in our Getting Started Guide, and review any relevent Helpdesk articles, so they are prepared for this course.

MicroSurvey is pleased to announce the release of Layout 2.2.12.11, a major service pack to its powerful construction layout software.

The latest release enabled the support for RTCM v3.1+ Transformation messages. Both horizontal and vertical coordinate systems can be streamed from NTRIP casters to replace or complement any pre-define systems.

In addition, we have made significant enhancements to the road manager module, and supports more entities from DXF and LandXML format.

Be sure to check out the full details from the release note below, including all the new instrument drivers and coordinate systems.

It is all part of our ongoing effort to ensure continued supports for our products.

MicroSurvey is pleased to announce the release of FieldGenius 7.2, a major service pack to its powerful survey field data collection software.

The latest release enabled the support for RTCM v3.1+ Transformation messages. Both horizontal and vertical coordinate systems can be streamed from NTRIP casters to replace or complement any pre-define systems.

We have also made significant enhancements to the Road Manager module. Multiple LandXML files can now be loaded in the same project, alignments will now support Station Equations and display station labels, and DXF file importation now supports all types of polylines. Be sure to check out the full details from the release note below.

Last but not the least, memory optimizations for point database and DXF files have been done to improve the overall performance on Windows Mobile based systems.

It is all part of our ongoing effort to ensure continued supports for our products.

Release Notes

For the complete list of MicroSurvey FieldGenius 7.2.12.10 Features and Defect fixes: Click Here

New Features

RTCM 3.1 Transformation Messages are now supported for both horizontal and vertical systems. To enable this, select RTCM Tranformation in the coordinate system screen.

Multiple LandXML files can now be loaded at the same time.

Station Equations on alignments are now supported in Roads Manager.

Label Element option has been added to roading menu for displaying station labels along alignments.

MicroSurvey is pleased to announce the release of MicroSurvey CAD 2015, a major update to its flagship desktop survey and design program for land surveyors and civil engineers.

The latest release is powered by the all new IntelliCAD 8 engine and is the first ever 64-bit version of MicroSurvey CAD. According to Brian Sloman, Development Manager at MicroSurvey, "The 64-bit architecture allows MicroSurvey CAD 2015 to access and use more system resources, and in a more efficient manner, unlocking the incredible potential of a modern workstation. With the 64-bit version of MicroSurvey CAD 2015, users will experience faster and smoother drafting and calculation operations, and can work with larger drawings and more points."

MicroSurvey CAD 2015 can read and write the latest .dwg files for compatibility with AutoCAD 2015 and has improved object enablers for drawings from Civil 3D. It also includes several new capabilities driven by requests submitted by users through MicroSurvey's online feature request system. For example, layer filters and layer states have been integrated directly into the IntelliCAD Explorer; a dynamic licensing system makes it easy to switch product levels; the AutoMAP Library, which controls how points and figures are presented, has been enhanced with new capabilities; bearings and azimuths of lines can now be instantly viewed in alternate reference systems; the point clusters tool lets you draw exaggerated error vectors for visually comparing coordinate changes between design and as-built points or during deformation studies; additional point cloud data formats are supported; and much more.

MicroSurvey CAD is compatible with field data from all major total stations and data collectors and is fully compatible with AutoCAD. It includes complete survey drafting, COGO, DTM, traversing, volumes, contouring, point cloud manipulation and data collection interfacing. No plug-ins or modules are necessary. In addition to the 64-bit version, a 32-bit version of the software is also available.

Release Notes

MicroSurvey CAD 2015 is built on the latest IntelliCAD engine, IntelliCAD 8.0a. IntelliCAD 8 is a major release and includes 2013 .dwg file format support for AutoCAD 2013/2014/2015, and comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. New features include layer states, layer filters with search, quick select, 3D orbit, additional grid capabilities, Collada (.dae) file import, MrSID MG4 compressed raster image support, and more.

More than 1200 issues have been resolved since the IntelliCAD 7.2d release. These include performance enhancements and improvements to the user interface, printing, text, dimensions, entity snapping and tracking, and more.

See below for additional details about what's new in IntelliCAD 8.

Dynamic Licensing

MicroSurvey CAD 2015 is now installed as one single installation containing all five different product levels: Basic, Standard, Premium, Ultimate, and Studio.

All product levels are pre-loaded and available in every MicroSurvey CAD 2015 install, and are activated dynamically by your USB license key. Use any valid key with any installation - no more reinstalling to change product levels!

AutoMAP Plotted Descriptions

ASCII Export:

A new "Use Plotted Description" option has been added to the Export ASCII commands which will write out the AutoMAP Plotted Descriptions in place of the Descriptions.

Type ASCII_OUT at the command line, or in the menus select MsPoints > Export ASCII Points or Lat Long File.

Active Coordinate Editor:

An optional "Plotted Description" column can now be enabled in the Active Coordinate Editor.

Type COORDEDIT at the command line, or in the menus select MsPoints > Active Coordinate Editor.

Single Point Editor:

A new "Plotted Description" field has been added to the Single Point Editor dialogs.

Type EDITP at the command line, or in the menus select MsPoints > Store & Edit Points, or with your grips off click on a point node or label.

Geodetic Single Point Editor:

A new "Plotted Description" field has been added to the Single Point Editor dialogs.

Access field-coded parameters directly from your point descriptions and use them to control the Layer, Symbol, and other fields. (Previously available only in the Plotted Description field.)

Substitution codes use the same syntax as introduced in MicroSurvey CAD 2013 for the Plotted Description field, and include $0 to substitute the code, $1-$9 to substitute the first through ninth space-delimited parameter following the code, $+ to substitute all parameters following the code, $* to substitute the entire description including the code plus all parameters, and $$ to substitute a literal "$" character.

For example, specify a Layer name like $1 and a block name like TREE_$1.DWG in AutoMap to dynamically place TREE points like TREE OAK and TREE ELM on OAK and ELM layers with TREE_OAK.DWG and TREE_ELM.DWG symbols.

Type AUTOMAP_EDITOR at the command line, or in the menus select MsTraverse > AutoMAP System > AutoMAP Library.

Clusters

Draw the error vectors of each cluster as polar or orthogonal lines, with an exaggeration factor and customizable color and layer properties depending on the pass/fail condition.

Type CLUSTERS at the command line, or in the menus select MsPoints > Clusters.

COGO Bearing Rotation

A "Rotated Bearing/Azimuth" field has been added onto the CAD Lines and CAD Curves dialogs, to show both the original and rotated bearing/azimuth per the specified COGO Bearing Rotation angle.

A "Rotated Chord Bearing/Azimuth" field has been added onto the CAD Lines and CAD Curves dialogs, to to show both the original and rotated chord bearing per the specified COGO Bearing Rotation angle.

To access the System Toggles, type CNF_EDIT_TOGGLES at the command line, or in the menus select MsTools > MicroSurvey System Toggles.

To access the CAD Lines or CAD Curves dialogs, make sure your GRIPS are turned off then click on the desired line or arc.

Google Earth KML Export

Additional details are available in the Point and Line/Curve details, including point coordinates and line and curve information.

New style options are available for specifying the point icon, icon size, and label size.

Type WRITEKML at the command line, or in the menus select MsPoints > Other Program Ties > Leica DBX > Import Leica DBX.

Leica DBX Import

Import Leica Codelists, and add its contents to your AutoMAP library.

Import "Ghost Point" setups, where the project starts with a setup that was established in a different project.

Download MicroSurvey CAD 2015

MicroSurvey CAD can be run in a 30-day, fully functional trial period for demonstration purposes.

Existing MicroSurvey CAD users with a current (non-expired) maintenance subscription support plan must use the USB License Manager application to update their USB License Key(s) to continue running this version beyond the 30-day trial period. If your maintenance plan has expired, please call MicroSurvey Software Inc. at 1-800-668-3312 or 1-250-707-0000 or contact your local MicroSurvey dealer to renew it.

MicroSurvey has re-packaged our classroom training materials and will be offering them to you online. Our experienced trainers will be offering the same combination of hands on activities, software demonstrations and classroom discussion that we offer when providing classroom training, but in an online environment that allows for screen sharing and audio and chatline discussion between attendees and instructors. With online training you can increase the productivity and value of your company, but without the expense and downtime of traveling to the training facility.

The training session will cover basic features of MicroSurvey CAD over 16 hours, spread over 4 weeks with an introductory session to show how the online training tools will work. Pick here for an outline of topics to be covered.

Sample files and manuals will be provided. No long distance charges will apply.

Space is limited and filling up quickly.

Number of Seats Available:Sorry, this class is full. Please use the registration link to send us an email and we can add you to the waiting list.

MicroSurvey Software Inc. is pleased to announce Evidence Recorder 10, the latest and highly anticipated version of evidence collection software built specifically for the professional reconstructionist.

Video Points Scanning – Point scanning routine has been greatly improved to allow user to define complex scan areas using total station onboard cameras, and transfer/export scan data with one simple click. Full dome and manual modes are also added to easily scan large areas. [Only available on Windows tablet or PC version]

Automatic Instrument Reconnection – Users will now have the option to automatically reconnect to the previous instrument. This will happen in 3 scenarios, when application start-up, when instrument resumes from hibernation, or when device comes back in range after connection was dropped. If the ”always auto-reconnect “option is checked, the instruments will be automatically reconnected without user intervention

New Project Creation Workflow – Project creation workflow has been revamped. All project settings have been centralized in one location, and can be saved as default for future use. This combined with instrument reconnection allows you to create a new project and go to map view with only 2 clicks, and greatly improves work efficiency.

User-Defined ASCII Export – User will now have the ability to define unlimited fields and formats in our ASCII export screen.

Multiple Points Backsight – New Multi-Backsight routine can be utilized to combine multiple control points/directions and calculate a more accurate backsight orientation.

Bluetooth Device Manager – Added a new Bluetooth Device Manager to store Bluetooth devices. When switching equipment, a user do not need to perform a new search, and the profile can be transferred to other data collectors easily.

NTRIP Caster Manager – Users can now save all of the NTRIP settings in the caster manager, and can switch between and connect to NTRIP casters without entering the settings again. NTRIP profile file can also be copied to other devices directly.

GNSS Tolerance Override – Users will now have an option to store GNSS measurements even when position tolerance is exceeded. Warning icons will be displayed when storing points with inadequate status.

Target Shortcuts improvements – You can now set keyboard shortcuts for the first 12 targets in your Target Manager. Each shortcut will set target type, EDM mode, and target height automatically.

Improved Stakeout Workflow and Graphics – Significantly improved stakeout graphics and workflows. In addition to the traditional map view, you can now choose Compass view or Grid view. Different viewing directions can be selected to suit your preferences, and our new “Next Point” routine provides you with a variety of options to select next point to layout.

An option has been added to display used/free memory on the map screen for WinCE based versions.

Improved Stakeout Workflow and Graphics – Significantly improved stakeout graphics and workflows. In addition to the traditional map view, you can now choose Compass view or Grid view. Different viewing directions can be selected to suit your preferences, and our new “Next Point” routine provides you with a variety of options to select next point to layout.

Video Points Scanning – Point scanning routine has been greatly improved to allow user to define complex scan areas using total station onboard cameras, and transfer/export scan data with one simple click. Full dome and manual modes are also added to easily scan large areas.

Automatic Instrument Reconnection – Users will now have the option to automatically reconnect to the previous instrument. This will happen in 3 scenarios, when application start-up, when instrument resumes from hibernation, or when device comes back in range after connection was dropped. If the ”always auto-reconnect “option is checked, the instruments will be automatically reconnected without user intervention

New Project Creation Workflow – Project creation workflow has been revamped. All project settings have been centralized in one location, and can be saved as default for future use. This combined with instrument reconnection allows you to create a new project and go to map view with only 2 clicks, and greatly improves work efficiency.

User-Defined ASCII Export – User will now have the ability to define unlimited fields and formats in our ASCII export screen.

Multiple Points Backsight – New Multi-Backsight routine can be utilized to combine multiple control points/directions and calculate a more accurate backsight orientation.

Bluetooth Device Manager – Added a new Bluetooth Device Manager to store Bluetooth devices. When switching equipment, a user do not need to perform a new search, and the profile can be transferred to other data collectors easily.

NTRIP Caster Manager – Users can now save all of the NTRIP settings in the caster manager, and can switch between and connect to NTRIP casters without entering the settings again. NTRIP profile file can also be copied to other devices directly.

GNSS Tolerance Override – Users will now have an option to store GNSS measurements even when position tolerance is exceeded. Warning icons will be displayed when storing points with inadequate status.

Target Shortcuts improvements – You can now set keyboard shortcuts for the first 12 targets in your Target Manager. Each shortcut will set target type, EDM mode, and target height automatically.

The first Service Pack (SP1) for FieldGenius 7 contains many defect fixes based on customer feedbacks, as well as driver supports and several exciting features. It is part of our ongoing effort to ensure continued supports for our products.

New Features

Video Points Scanning – Point scanning routine has been greatly improved to allow user to define complex scan areas using total station onboard cameras, and transfer/export scan data with one simple click. Full dome and manual modes are also added to easily scan large areas. Feature Walkthrough Video & Setup Guide (Available on Windows PC/Tablet plaforms)

Target Shortcuts improvements – You can now set keyboard shortcuts for the first 12 targets in your Target Manager. Each shortcut will set target type, EDM mode, and target height automatically.

According to Brian Sloman, Desktop Products Manager at MicroSurvey, "We worked really hard to create several powerful new productivity tools that all STAR*NET users can take immediate advantage of. The flexible and independent control of conventional, GPS, and leveling data in the network plot, including the new directional arrows which indicate both the direction and number of observations for each network connection, can help you visually identify regions with lower redundancy without having to analyze the listing file. The new .PRISM inline command lets you correct distances without having to make potentially thousands of tedious calculations and manual edits, and the level loop tolerance check lets you immediately confirm whether or not your level loops or traverses fall within the maximum allowable tolerances for a desired standard of accuracy. Toss in the ability to view your data in Google Earth and Google Maps, and it all adds up to a faster and easier least squares analysis."

STAR*NET 8.1 is a FREE upgrade for any STAR*NET users who have a valid (non-expired) Maintenance Subscription and Support Plan.

What's New in STAR*NET 8.1

New Features

Network Plot

Use the new Network Plot Manager to control your view. All display options are presented together in one intuitive grid view, similar to a CAD Layer Manager.

Specify the color for each network plot element (like Stations, Connections, and Ellipses).

Use your mouse to zoom and pan - zoom in by scrolling up, zoom out by scrolling down, zoom extents by double-clicking the middle mouse button, and pan by dragging with your middle mouse button.

Prism Offset Correction

A new ".PRISM" inline option lets you apply a correction for measurements that were collected with an incorrect prism offset setting.

Google Maps™ Support

View your network stations in Google Maps by clicking the Map button located in the Find Point dialog. (Compatible with Grid projects only.)

Google Earth™ Support

Export your network stations and connections to a .kml or .kmz file and view them in Google Earth. (Compatible with Grid projects only.)

Level Loop Tolerance Check

Perform a tolerance check on level loops to validate that they meet required tolerances based on the loop length, and generate a Warning message if the tolerance is exceeded.

Level Loop Check also now reports the total loop length for each loop in the Listing report, as well as their individual segment lengths.

Online Updater

STAR*NET now includes a "Check for Updates" feature, and is also configured to silently check for updates according to your customizable preferences. When an update is available, you will be notified and given the option to download and install it.

Enhanced Features

Quick File References

[F1500] An index column has been added to the Data Input Files Panel, corresponding to the File:Line references in the Listing file, and double-clicking on a : character in the Listing file will now take you directly to the corresponding data file and line number in the Editor.

Data File Monitor

[D4440] Data Editor now monitors for any changes that are made by an external program to a loaded data file, and will prompt to reload it from disk.

[D4654] Data Editor now immediately updates when a loaded data file is changed by Overwriting or Appending to it with the GPS Importer.

Conversion Utilities

[F2486] Direct access to all conversion utilities has been added within STAR*NET via the Import menu.

[F1315] Help buttons have been added to all conversion utilities for direct access to the relevant help topic.

[D6244] FieldGenius GPS importer - will now handle GPS Offset measurements from the raw file, and create new G4 (GPS Offset) records to define the offset from the rover's measured position to the actual point.

[D6859] FieldGenius GPS importer - will now handle scenarios where the base receiver was changed midway through the raw file without connecting to it to define the base point ID.

[D6859] FieldGenius GPS importer - is now more tolerant of corrupt data such that latitude/longitude values of zero will be ignored.

[D6964] FieldGenius GPS importer - when importing vectors without a defined base point ID, the assumed point ID (like RefID0000_1) is now constructed using the Next Vector number to avoid using the same Point ID for different base positions when importing multiple raw files.

Carlson SurvCE Support

[F2072] STAR*Carlson - will now convert Resection observations.

[F2305] STAR*Carlson - can again "Average Shots in Multiple Sets" (this option was available prior to 2009 but had been removed).

[D5839] Carlson GPS importer - can now import point descriptions with each vector.

Leica DBX Support

[F2506] STAR*Leica DBX - the option to Use All Set Observations now applies for any Sets collected with both the Sets of Angles or Traverse applications.

[D6909] STAR*Leica DBX - The Angular Precision setting for DMS angles was not intuitive; it now controls the number of decimal places for the seconds value (like 2 for DDD-MM-SS.ss) instead of the degrees value (like 6 for DDD-MM-SS.ss).

[D6884] Custom Coordinate Systems - After defining a custom coordinate system, it could not be edited or deleted; Edit and Delete buttons have been added to the Coordinate System Details dialog.

[D6885] Custom Coordinate Systems - When using a custom coordinate system, transformations may occasionally fail resulting in coordinates at 0,0,0.

[D6897] Custom Coordinate Systems - A crash can occur when adding Global Mapper imagery to the network plot if an unsupported coordinate system is in use.

[D6898] Custom Coordinate Systems - When defining a custom coordinate system, editable fields now activate on a single-click instead of a double-click, and read-only fields are displayed with a grey background.

[D6893] Custom Coordinate Systems - A crash may occur or a solution may not converge, when running an adjustment in a project that references a custom system that does not exist.

Download Link

Existing MicroSurvey STAR*NET users with a current maintenance plan may need to use the USB License Manager application to update their USB License Key(s) before this version can be run. If your maintenance plan has expired, please call MicroSurvey Software Inc. at 1-800-668-3312 or 1-250-707-0000 or contact your local MicroSurvey dealer to renew it.

For demonstration purposes, MicroSurvey STAR*NET 8 can be run for 10-days as the fully-featured STAR*NET-PRO edition, and beyond that as the limited 10-station STAR*NET-DEMO edition. All of the conversion utilities are also unlocked during this 10-day demo period.